Dispensing package



Feb. 22, 1938. I c H RASMUSSEN 2,108,902

DISPENSING PACKAGE Filed Sept. 14. 1955 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFIQE DISPENSING PACKAGE Application September 14, 1935, Serial No. 40,592

8 Claims.

The invention relates to dispensing containers, and more particularly to a container adapted to have packed therein a plurality of bars or blocks of medicated material extending from side to side of the container, and of a thickness substantially equalling the full depth of the con.- tainer body.

In the merchandising of so-called proprietary household remedies, it is a common practice to use a vehicle for the medicinal content which makes the administration thereof more palatable by concealing the characteristic flavor and odor of the medicament.

When compounding such remedies, the percentage of the drug or drugs employed, as compared with the vehiole, is such that a proper dose of the drug is determined by a given bulk of the solid vehicle. In this manner, the accidental taking of an overdose by an adult or adolescent is prevented.

Containers for such remedies are sometimes left about a household where they are accessible to small children who, unaware of the medicinal nature of the bars or blocks, but attracted by their pleasant taste, are apt to consume a substantial part of the container contents and take into their sytems a disturbing if not dangerous overdose of the medicine.

With the above conditions in mind, I have provided a dispensing container from which one bar or block at a time may be readily removed by the exercise of a little ingenuity when removing the cover of the container, but which will involve the exercise of a measure of intelligence, beyond that of the average small child, to remove a second bar or block therefrom.

It is essential that the container of the invention be capable of being produced at a low manufacturing cost, since it is used in large numbers in marketing low priced, extensively advertised merchandise.

The container must possess few parts of simple design which may be quickly and cheaply assembled. While the various parts of the body must be firmly united and conveniently accessible to facilitate the joinder of the parts, any great durability of these parts is unnecessary, since they are intended to contain only a small number of bars or blocks and refilling of the containers is not contemplated.

The container body is so formed as to permit the convenient filling thereof, and the cover is so formed and applied to the body that one bar or block is stored in the cover.

When the cover is first removed from the container body, a single bar or block is removed from the container while positioned within the cover. The body is so constructed that the escape of any bar or block, remaining within it, from the mouth of the body is prevented While the cover is being, or after it has been, removed. The body construction is such that the removal of a second, and any subsequent bar or block, necessi= tates the application of the cover to the body to establish a relation of parts permitting a single bar or block to pass from within the body to within the cover, and the shifting of the position of the closed container so as to cause a bar or block to slide from the body into the cover. Even with a proper relation of parts, and a proper positioning of the body, only one bar or block can be withdrawn from the container at a time.

The invention consists primarily in a dispensing package embodying therein a body having, top, bottom, one end and two side walls and a discharge opening opposite the bottom wall only, a resilient check member secured to one wall within said body extending across said opening from side wall to side wall of said body, inwardly of said body, and projecting towards the opposite wall thereof, and a cover having a deep flange substantially co-terminous with the free edge of said check member adapted to enter said body through said discharge opening and depress said check member, whereby when the cover is applied to the body, a bar or block may pass said check member and enter said cover, and when said cover is removed, said check member will rise and prevent a bar or block passing to said discharge opening; and in such other novel features of construction and combination of parts as are hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawing,

Fig. '1 is a perspective view of a dispensing container embodying the invention showing the cover as it is being removed, a portion of one wall of the body and of the cover being broken way; 45

Fig. 2 is a view of the discharge end of the body with the cover removed;

Fig. 3 is a view longitudinally of a closed container, partly in section; and.

Fig. i is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the 50 cover as it is being removed.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing, the container body is formed of two 55 rectangular, drawn up parts it] and II, each having one end wall removed to provide a discharge opening [2 of substantially the same width as the body, but of relatively greater heighth. This greater heighth results from an outward forming of the top and bottom walls of the body as indicated at l3 and M.

The purpose of the enlargement of the container body adjacent the discharge opening is two fold: to afford space for a check member within the body, and to permit the use of a flanged cover of substantially the same width and height as the container body beyond the edge of the cover flange, when the container is closed to allow a bar or block to pass from within the body to within the cover.

The two body parts l and H have a sliding fit one with the other, and are permanently united by an adhesive, or in any other desired and well known manner. These parts are drawn from tin plate such as is ordinarily used in making metal boxes and, as with many containers, may have lithographic decorative matter applied to the tin sheets before forming the body parts. A seamed and headed body may be used if desired.

Within the enlarged portion of the container body is a check member, one edge portion I5 of which is permanently secured to one wall ll of the body, and the other and free edge portion 16 of which extends inwardly of, and has a normal tendency to project towards, the opposite wall of said body to an extent to project into the path of movement of a bar or block in the body and prevent its passing said check through the discharge opening l2, (see Figs. 1 and 4) when the cover is removed.

This check member is formed of thin gauge, spring metal, in the form of the invention shown, extends from side wall to side wall of, and is secured to the box body by any suitable adhesive. Soldering may be resorted to with little likelihood of marring the decoration upon the body.

Preferably, the edge portion I6 is gored, as shown, or otherwise divided to weaken this edge sufficiently to avoid mutilation of the bar or block, or its covering when such is used. This also imparts high flexibility to the movable part of the check member and permits it to be readily flexed towards either the top or the bottom walls of the body by the cover, or by impact of a bar or block therewith. Flexure from the latter cause increases its effectiveness as a check and tends to preserve its form.

The container body is closed by a slip cover (I having a flange l8 of substantially the same depth as the length of the enlarged portion of the body so as to be substantially co-terminous with the free edge of said check member, the edge of the cover flange substantially meeting the shoulders afforded by the outward forming of the portions 13 and M. The depth of these shoulders approximates the thickness of the sheet from which the cover is formed, plus the thickness of the material of the check member 15-86. Hence, the inside dimensions of the cover are about the same as the smallest inside dimensions of the container body beyond the enlarged portions i3 and I4.

Since the length of the bars or blocks is less than the width of the body, they may slide freely, longitudinally of said body, and into the flanged cover, notwithstanding that the width of the latter may be less, by the thickness of each side flange. han the minimum inside dimensions of the b y.

The top !9 of the cover is closed, and has projecting end. flanges or beads for limiting move ment of the cover inwardly of the container body.

The end of the container body, opposite the discharge opening or mouth [2, is closed, as shown at 2| (see Fig. 4).

The container bars or blocks are indicated by the numeral 22.

The operation of the herein described dispensing container is substantially as follows:-

When filling the container, bars or blocks 22 are passed edgewise through the discharge opening or mouth l2. As each bar or block contacts with the flexible edge portion I6 of the check member, it is depressed, allowing the bar or block to pass below or beyond same to within the body, towards the bottom thereof. When enough bars or blocks have been inserted to bring the top of the pile just below or beyond the check member, the edge portion l6 springs away from the wall to which it is attached, towards the opposite wall, so that if the body be inverted, the engagement of the edge portion with the end bar or block prevents movement of said bar or block towards the discharge opening i2 (see Fig. 4)

To complete the filling of the container, a single bar or block 22 is placed within the deep flange 18 of the cover l1, and the flange is passed through the opening l2, there being a close sliding fit between the outer wall of the flange, three walls of the enlarged portion of the body 53-44 and the portion l5 of the check member.

The inside of the flange, when the cover is in place, is in substantially exact register with the inside of the body beyond the shoulders, resulting from the outward forming of the top and bottom walls of the body at l3 and M. The flange I8 is of a depth to engage and depress the edge portion IE of the check member, so that when the cover is in place, a single bar or block may pass freely from the container body to within the flange l8 of the cover without interference from the check member which is positioned exteriorly of the flange.

With movement of the flange l8 outwardly of the container body and through the enlarged portion Iii-l4 adjacent the discharge opening or mouth 12, the bar or block contained within said flange is removed from the container. With the initiation of such movement, however, the edge iii of the resilient check member springs to a sufficient extent across the edge of the flange to engage the succeeding bar or block and prevent movement thereof with the cover beyond said check member.

If it be desired to remove this succeeding bar or block, the cover must be again inserted in the container body to depress the edge portion i6 of the check member, and the container. as a whole must be positioned with the discharge opening or mouth presented downwardly, so that the said bar or block can move, by gravity, from the body of the container to within the flange 53 of the cover.

While the removal of the first bar or block from a completely filled container involves merely the removal of the cover, only one bar or block can be secured. The obtaining of a second bar or block, or more than one, involves the full replacement of the cover and the tilting of the container body.

This procedure requires reasoning beyond the mental capacity of a. child too young to appreciate that the consumption of a number of medicated bars or blocks may be injurious, at least temporarily, to its physical condition.

"While a dispensing container embodying the in'vcntionma-y not, under all circumstances, pre vent a child from removing bars or blocks from the container, it is effective in preventing this in most instances. Furthermore, if the container has had one or more bars or blocks removed therefrom, its construction is such that a child maybe prevented from obtaining even a single bar or block.

The bond between the two body parts and 1! 'need not be very strong, merely sufficient to unite theseparts firmly enough to prevent relative movement of these parts during a. short life of the container, or to permit the removal of the part it fromtne part H as with an ordinary Slipcover box.

I 'It is not my intention to limit the invention to the material used in forming the container. nor to the exact dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawing, it being obvious that 'such would have to be varied to adapt the device to the. merchandising of articles of different sizes and shapes.

essential characteristics of the invention areya container body having top, bottom, two side and one end walls and a discharge opening or" mouth opposite the bottom wall, a resilient check member, preferably formed of sheet metal,

within the container body adjacent and extending across from side to side of the discharge opening, a portion of this check member being secured to either the top or bottom wall, and another portion thereof "projecting toward the end wall of the container body and upwardly toward the bottom or top wall as the case may be; a deep flange, slip cover insertable through the discharge opening or mouth of the container into engaging relation with and substantially coterminous with the free edge of said check member so .as to make this member inoperative to prevent" movement of the contents of the container from within the body to within. the cover, and I intend to claim such broadly.

Having described the invention. what I claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is:--

l. A dispensing package embodying therein a box body having closed top, bottom, one end and two side walls, and a discharge opening opposite said end Wall and defined by said top and bottom and said two side walls, a. resilient check member extending across said opening from side wall to side wall, one edge of said check member being secured to the top or bottom wall of said body adjacent the edge of said discharge opening and projecting inwardly of said box body and toward the bottom or top wall thereof, and an inside slip cover having a deep flange substantially co-terminous with the free edge of said check member, the flange of said cover being adapted to enter said body through said discharge opening and depress said check member, whereby when the cover is applied to the box, an article may pass said check member and enter said cover so as to be removable therewith, and when said cover is removed, said check member will rise and prevent an article passing through said discharge opening.

2. A dispensing package embodying therein a box body having closed top, bottom, one end and two side walls, and a discharge opening opposit-e said end wall and defined by said top and bottom and said two side walls, a resilient check member extending across said opening from side wall to side wall, one edge of said check member being secured to the top or bottom wall of said body adjacent the edge of said discharge opening and projecting inwardly of said box body and toward the bottom or top wall thereof, an inside slip cover having a. deep flange substantially 00- terminous with the free edge of said check memher, the flange of said cover being adapted to enter said body through said discharge opening and depress said check member, whereby when the cover is applied to the box, an article may pass said check member and enter said cover so as to be removable therewith, and when said cover is removed, said check member will rise and prevent an article passing through said discharge opening, and projections from the top of said cover engaging with the body about the discharge opening to limit movement of the cover inwardly of the body.

3. A dispensing package embodying therein a box body having closed top, bottom, one end and two side walls, and a discharge opening opposite said end wall and defined by said top and bottom and said two side walls, a check member formed of thin spring metal having a weakened free edge extending across said opening from side wall to side wall, one edge of said check member being secured to the top or bottom wall of said body adjacent the edge of said discharge opening and projecting inwardly of said box body and toward the bottom or top wall thereof, and an inside slip cover having a deep flange substantially co-terminous with the free edge of said check member, the flange of said cover being adapted to enter said body through said discharge opening and depress said check member, whereby when the cover is applied to the box, an article may pass said check member and enter said cover so as to be removable therewith, and when said cover is removed, said check member will rise and prevent an article passing through said discharge opening.

4. A dispensing package embodying therein a box body having closed top, bottom, one end and two side walls formed of two rectangular, drawnup parts permanently bonded together, and a discharge opening opposite said end wall and defined by said top and bottom and said two side walls, a resilient check member extending across said opening from side wall to side wall, one edge of said check member being secured to the top or bottom wall of said body adjacent the edge of said discharge opening and projecting inwardly of said box body and toward the bottom or top wall thereof, and an inside slipcover having a deep flange substantially co-terminous with the free edge of said check member, the flange of said cover being adapted to enter said body through said discharge opening and depress said check member, whereby when the cover is applied. to the box, an article may pass said check member and enter said cover so as to be removable therewith, and when said cover is removed, said check member will rise and prevent an article passing through said discharge openmg.

5. A dispensing package embodying therein a box body having closed top, bottom, one end and two side walls formed of two rectangular, drawn up parts permanently bonded together, and a discharge opening opposite said end wall and defined by said top and bottom and said two side walls, a resilient check member extending across said opening from side wall to side wall, one edge of said check member being secured to the top or bottom wall of said body adjacent the edge of said discharge opening and projecting inwardly of said box body and toward the bottom or top wall thereof, an inside slip cover having a deep flange substantially c0-terminous with the free edge of said check member, the flange of said cover being adapted to enter said body through said discharge opening and depress said check member, whereby when the cover is applied to the box, an article may pass said check member and enter said cover so as to be removable therewith, and when said cover is removed, said check member will rise and prevent an article passing through said discharge opening, and projections from the top of said cover engaging with the body about the discharge opening to limit movement of the cover inwardly of the body.

6. A dispensing package embodying therein a box body having closed top, bottom, one end and two side walls formed of two rectangular, drawnup parts permanently bonded together, and a discharge opening opposite said end wall and defined by said top and bottom and said two side walls, a check member formed of thin spring metal having a weakened free edge extending across said opening from side wall to side wall, one edge of said check member being secured to the top or bottom wall of saidbody adjacent the edge of said discharge opening and projecting inwardly of said box body and toward the bottom or top wall thereof, and an inside slip cover having a deep flange substantially co-terminous with the free edge of said check member, the flange of said cover being adapted to enter said body through said discharge opening and depress said check member, whereby when the cover is applied to the box, an article may pass said check member and enter said cover so as to be removable therewith, and when said cover is removed, said check member will rise and prevent an article passing through said discharge opening.

7. A dispensing package embodying therein a body having a discharge opening in one side thereof only, the top and bottom walls of ,said body adjacent said opening being, outwardly formed to provide shoulders spaced inwardly of said body from said opening, a resilient check member extending inwardly of said body secured to one wall, and projecting towards the opposite wall thereof, and a cover having a deep ,flange adapted to enter said body through said .di'scharge opening, depress said check member .and engage said shoulders, whereby when thecover is applied to the body, a bar or block mayipass said check member and enter said cover, .and when said cover is removed, said check member will rise and prevent a bar or block passing to said discharge opening.

8. A dispensing package embodying therein .a body consisting of a rectangular portion closed at one end and having a discharge openingin the side thereof opposite said closed end, ,the top and bottom walls of said body adjacentsald opening being outwardly formed to provide shoulders spaced inwardly of said body from said opening, a check member formed of thinspring metal extending from side to side of said contamer and inwardly of said body, having .one edge portion secured to one wall, and the opposite edge portion projecting towards the opposite wall thereof, said last named edge portion having an interrupted edge to impart increased flexibility? to said member, a cover having a deep flange adapted to enter said body through said discharge opening and depress said check member, whereby when the cover is applied to thebody,;- a

bar or block may pass said check member and with the body about: the discharge opening .to

limit movement of the cover inwardly 0f the body.

CHARLES H. RASMUSSEN. 

